Snow now covers the ground, and the holidays are approaching. What's on your radar as you settle in for winter in Rochester and the Finger Lakes? This month's edition of CITY Magazine is its Winter Guide. The annual exploration of things to do includes books to read, classes to take, sports to try, art to experience, and more. We're joined by the CITY team for the hour. Our guests:

• Leah Stacy, editor of CITY Magazine
• Roberto Lagares, multimedia reporter for CITY Magazine
• Jacob Walsh, art director for CITY Magazine
• Florence Cardella, contributor to CITY Magazine
• Kellen Beck, contributor to CITY Magazine
• Mike Krupnicki, owner of Arc + Flame and Rochester Brainery
• Jon Heath, contributor to CITY Magazine

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Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.

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Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter.

Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.

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A local organization is sounding the alarm over an issue that is affecting an increasing number of young people. As reported by WXXI's Noelle Evans, a new report from Common Ground Health shows that in 2023, self-harm was the leading behavioral reason that young people ages 6 to 21 in Monroe County visited the emergency room. How can families, caregivers, and schools help support students' mental and emotional well-being? Our guests share their expertise. In studio:

• Noelle E.C. Evans, education reporter/producer for WXXI News
• Elizabeth Devaney, director of the Whole Child Connection at the Children’s Institute
• Joseph D. Fantigrossi, Ed.D., director of the Community Schools Coalition of Monroe County, and coordinator of regional community schools at Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES
• Holly Sienkiewicz, DrPH, director of research at Common Ground Health
• Calvin Holloway, assistant coordinator for Youth Voice One Vision: The Mayor's Advisory Council and youth mental health advocate

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Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.

---

Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter.

Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.

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Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

We sit down with Karin Deutsch Karlekar of PEN America. The organization's Writers at Risk programs advocate for journalists, advocates, and academics who face threats around the world. A recent crackdown on free speech has affected American writers and their work. We discuss the state of free speech and what organizations like PEN America are doing to help protect it. In studio:

• Karin Deutsch Karlekar, Ph.D., director of Writers at Risk at PEN America

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Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.

---

Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter.

Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.

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Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.